Messy storm makes its way across the South

ATLANTA (AP) -- Across the South, winter-weary residents are waking up to a region encased in ice, snow and freezing rain, with forecasters warning that the worst of the potentially "catastrophic" storm is yet to come.

From Texas to the Carolinas and the South's business hub in Atlanta, roads Wednesday are slick with ice, thousands are without power, and a wintry mix is falling in many areas. The Mid-Atlantic region also is expected to be hit as the storm crawls east.

Officials say the biggest concern is ice, which could knock out power for days in wide swaths.

In Atlanta, where a storm took the metro region by surprise and stranded thousands in vehicles just two weeks ago, emergency workers stand at the ready. Out-of-state utility vehicles are gathered, Georgia National Guard troops are on standby, and shelters are opening.